AIX Operating Systems: 101

The AIX operating system is designed to distribute unparalleled scalability, reliability, and manageability. Like the AIX OS, IBM has garnered its sterling reputation by using the above characteristics as a foundation for business stability and growth. IBM has vast experience in providing solutions to businesses of all shapes and sizes, in every industry, in nearly every country across the globe. IBM has adapted UNIX technologies and is the most trusted resource for server consulting. Conversely, their most trusted OS are generally based off an iteration or version of AIX.

AIX is part of the UNIX family and is based on UNIX System V. A common scenario for system administrators is to fall head over heels in love with the very first UNIX version they encounter. Very similar to many human relationships, system admins find extreme comfort in familiarity and rarely venture out to the unknown. The ascertained assumption is that all other UNIX or Linux versions are strange, unorthodox or flat out terrible. However, after making the leap to a different AIX version, it is very common for these same system admins to see that common ground between versions is large, each version has its own strengths and that the primary extent of differences resides in the system admin tools.

AIX is an open, standards-based operating system that conforms to The Open Group’s single UNIX specification version 3. It delivers fully integrated support for 32 and 64 bit applications. The AIX OS also provides binary compatible support for the all of IBM’s UNIX product line including the BladeCenter blade servers. Let’s take a look at some other positive variables that the AIX OS possesses:

RAS: Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability

Bottom line: this system is intelligent, doesn’t break often and can identify issues when they arise.

A stickler about code

The IBM compilers for AIX are extremely suitable but also extremely picky about your code. IBM compilers will issue a warning when your code is not up to IBM standards. This intuitive element is a preventative measure that can save your company time and money.

WLM: Strong Workload Manager

The system allows multiple applications to be separated into classes and resources, which allows the management of multiple workloads on a single OS image.

LPARs: Logical Partitions

Hardware with POWER4 and POWER5 CPUs can be partitioned to run multiple copies of AIX and Linux at the same time. AIX also specializes in simplifying hardware infrastructure and can be run on a SINGLE machine.